It's not a law, it's a "non-binding resolution". Legally, it's
pabulum. Still, it's a waste of the House's time, IMO. What effects
it has on society at large is up for speculation. I see it as
indicative of a wider mindset that Christians are "persecuted" here
and the world over. Of course they are; As are Jews, Muslims,
Atheists, Buddhists, and every other cultural subset. Susan, you and
I will not live to see a resolution like this passed for any other
religion in the good ol' US of A.
Jean
On Dec 15, 2007, at Sat, Dec 15, 8:49 PM, Susan Freiman wrote:
This just came to me from an atheists' list. Is it true?
Susan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Council for Secular Humanism Chides Congress for Disrespecting
Religions
(December 14, 2007) -- Experts from the Council for Secular
Humanism noted with alarm the passage of H. Res. 847 in the House
of Representatives. This unnecessary, unwarranted, and bigoted law,
under the misleading title "Recognizing the Importance of Christm
as and the Christian Faith" passed the House with overwhelming
bipartisan support It effectively undermines the sort of religious
tolerance necessary in these changing times.
Just days ago in the midst of the Jewish Festival of Lights, four
Jewish men in New York City were attacked on the subway for
replying to a group of ten people who wished them a "Merry
Christmas" with a similar greeting: "Happy Hanukkah. For this,
these men were first insulted, then beaten. It was a Muslim man who
came to their physical defense. The actions of the Congress, by
passing the resolution and thus expressing preference to the
Christian faith over all the others represented by the diverse
population of these United States , encourages this sort of behavior.
The First Amendment's guarantee of religious liberty, and of the
nonestablishment of religion, was devised to create a secular state
in which all religions would be equally tolerated and none given
preference. The language of the House resolution effectively
undermines the design of the Founders, and creates an atmosphere
where non-Christians will continue to be targeted, treated like
second-class citizens, and even become victims of violence like
those four Jewish subway riders in New York .
Paul Kurtz , CSH chair, stated, "It is deplorable that in this day
and age and in light of violence against religious minorities here
in the United States that the Congress would stoke those flames
with preferential language in support of a single religion." David
Koepsell , CSH's executive director, noted, "Te First Amendment
Guarantee was designed to prevent the sort of religious intolerance
that resulted in violence in Europe, and our Congress should
respect the intent of the Founders."
We call on the Congress to reject this resolution, to stand up for
religious freedom, secularism, and pluralism, and to foster a
climate in which all believers and nonbelievers alike are treated
equally.
__._,_.___
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To subscribe, unsubscribe, change options, or get password, see
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Please note that messages sent to this large list cannot be viewed as private.
Anyone can subscribe to the list and read messages that are posted; people can
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messages to others.